Jacquelin Twiss
Jacquelin Twiss, BOE district 1 candidate
Post seeking: BOE District 1
Career/occupation:
Owner - Across the Way Stables LLC
Describe your background:
I have a BSBA in Accounting. I spent 15 years in the corporate world where I specialized in the financial modules of ERP packages. In 2002 I started Across The Way Stables at a leased facility.
In August 2004 I purchased 25 acres in Barrow County with plans of rehabbing the existing barn, developing pastures, building a house and moving the business. In November 2004, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to put my plans on hold. In 2007, the doctors gave me the okay to start living my life again. I became a substitute teacher in the Barrow & Jackson County schools systems. I also picked up where I left off with my plans for developing an Off Track Thoroughbred retrain facility. I’ve faced quite a few hurdles in the past six years and while they may have slowed me down, I’ve become a better stronger person because of them.
I married my college sweetheart and we have one son John who is currently attending the University of Tampa working toward a Masters Degree. Education has always been very important to us. We believe that without an education, your choices in life are limited.
•If the E-SPLOST referendum fails, will you vote for a property tax increase to service the school system’s debt?
No. At one time, it was build a town, build a school; build a neighborhood, build a school. Now, it’s the era of the centralized mega schools. When a developer builds a neighborhood or apartment complex, he’s increasing the population density of the schools. Take for example a development of 200 homes with the average family having 2.5 children. That would be 500 new students in the school system. I think developers need to be charged a school supplemental fee based on the number of homes or apartment units being built. They need to share in the cost of building or upgrading the existing schools and their facilities. Homeowners should not have to carry the entire burden; developers need to share in the expense.
•What are your plans to deal with budget constraints in a way that will preserve quality instruction for Barrow students?
I’d like to see Barrow go to a four day school week. This is gaining in popularity across the US and has been proven to reduce budget costs while also increasing test scores.
In Peach County Georgia, the school system changed to a four day school week and according to an article by Channel 11 News, not only did test scores increase but they were able to save 39 teacher positions as well as the art, music, and PE classes. The school superintendent, Dr. Clark, said the estimated savings were $400,000 and there was a 13 percent increase in the number of students passing the high school writing test.
•What are the three biggest issues that Barrow County Schools must address over the next five years?
1.) Budget - we need to reduce spending without cutting teaching positions. We need to start thinking outside the box.
2.) Technology - We need to embrace technology. With the use of technology and e-learning, we can offer more subjects to students. For example: You may have students who are interested in taking AP classes but not have enough students at one high school to justify offering the class. With e-learning those students can take the class. You can offer a wider array of subjects with the use of virtual classrooms, digital collaboration or web-based, computer-based and internet-based learning.
3.) School Infrastructure - not just building new schools but upgrading the existing ones. Once the economy turns around and people start moving in, you need to be ahead of the curve not behind it. Schools and the quality of education are what not only people but businesses look for when deciding where to move.
Owner - Across the Way Stables LLC
Describe your background:
I have a BSBA in Accounting. I spent 15 years in the corporate world where I specialized in the financial modules of ERP packages. In 2002 I started Across The Way Stables at a leased facility.
In August 2004 I purchased 25 acres in Barrow County with plans of rehabbing the existing barn, developing pastures, building a house and moving the business. In November 2004, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to put my plans on hold. In 2007, the doctors gave me the okay to start living my life again. I became a substitute teacher in the Barrow & Jackson County schools systems. I also picked up where I left off with my plans for developing an Off Track Thoroughbred retrain facility. I’ve faced quite a few hurdles in the past six years and while they may have slowed me down, I’ve become a better stronger person because of them.
I married my college sweetheart and we have one son John who is currently attending the University of Tampa working toward a Masters Degree. Education has always been very important to us. We believe that without an education, your choices in life are limited.
•If the E-SPLOST referendum fails, will you vote for a property tax increase to service the school system’s debt?
No. At one time, it was build a town, build a school; build a neighborhood, build a school. Now, it’s the era of the centralized mega schools. When a developer builds a neighborhood or apartment complex, he’s increasing the population density of the schools. Take for example a development of 200 homes with the average family having 2.5 children. That would be 500 new students in the school system. I think developers need to be charged a school supplemental fee based on the number of homes or apartment units being built. They need to share in the cost of building or upgrading the existing schools and their facilities. Homeowners should not have to carry the entire burden; developers need to share in the expense.
•What are your plans to deal with budget constraints in a way that will preserve quality instruction for Barrow students?
I’d like to see Barrow go to a four day school week. This is gaining in popularity across the US and has been proven to reduce budget costs while also increasing test scores.
In Peach County Georgia, the school system changed to a four day school week and according to an article by Channel 11 News, not only did test scores increase but they were able to save 39 teacher positions as well as the art, music, and PE classes. The school superintendent, Dr. Clark, said the estimated savings were $400,000 and there was a 13 percent increase in the number of students passing the high school writing test.
•What are the three biggest issues that Barrow County Schools must address over the next five years?
1.) Budget - we need to reduce spending without cutting teaching positions. We need to start thinking outside the box.
2.) Technology - We need to embrace technology. With the use of technology and e-learning, we can offer more subjects to students. For example: You may have students who are interested in taking AP classes but not have enough students at one high school to justify offering the class. With e-learning those students can take the class. You can offer a wider array of subjects with the use of virtual classrooms, digital collaboration or web-based, computer-based and internet-based learning.
3.) School Infrastructure - not just building new schools but upgrading the existing ones. Once the economy turns around and people start moving in, you need to be ahead of the curve not behind it. Schools and the quality of education are what not only people but businesses look for when deciding where to move.
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